Column: Trip reminds how libraries help meld, grow ideas

Lori Belongia

My husband, Ken Wood, and I recently took a road trip to Memphis, Tennessee. Our destination was influenced by the desire to visit a place that neither of us had ever been, an expectation of sunshine, the hope for warmer weather and the upcoming Library & Community Center fundraiser with Elvis tribute impersonator Garry Wesley.

Well, the weather didn't exactly cooperate with very little sunshine, but it was warmer than Marshfield. In spite of that, the trip was a pleasant adventure without a specific schedule. We drifted in and out of small towns and cities to poke around in antiques shops, tourist sites, restaurants and of course a library or two.

On the highway to Memphis, I found myself wondering why we were making this trip. As a person who believes that very little happens completely by accident, I was looking for meaning in our journey.

When we arrived in Memphis, we stopped at the visitor's center to gather information to plan activities for the next two days. We visited Graceland, the home a 22-year-old Elvis bought in 1957 for his parents and himself. It is an impressive home, but with today's celebrity standards by no means palatial.

Next, we visited Beale Street and the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, where we learned about the roots of Blues, Soul and Country music whose story began with a connection to the earth through farming. After that, we hopped on a bus over to the Sun Recording Studio to hear about Sam Phillips and his efforts to help gospel, blues, hillbilly, country, boogie and western swing pioneers. During the '50s and '60s, the Sun Studio atmosphere encouraged music legends to overcome racial and socio-economic barriers to create the blended sounds that became "rock 'n' roll" - the music that helped usher in decades of musical and social change.

The positive energy and importance of this place was physical. I had found the meaning for our trip. The energy was much like I feel at the library. Seeing this place where people came together to hone and blend their talents, reinforced the importance of the Library & Community Center project to Marshfield.

By nature, libraries are places where people explore new ideas, are influenced by different thoughts and are encouraged to challenge their status quo. Technology and space in the new Marshfield Public Library will bring more opportunities for people to come together, explore and create. The Community Center portion of the project reaches across all ages and status to welcome all to share, develop and blend their talent. When linked, the two parts of this project will work with synergy and cooperation.

We'll see people inspired and encouraged by others to meld new styles, philosophies and approaches with their own to produce life and community changing results. The many people working on this project reflect its importance for the future of our community.

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Column: Trip reminds how libraries help meld, grow ideas

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